The Phillies Zone

PITTSBURGH -- Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has been suspended one game by Major League Baseball for "aggressive arguing and inappropriate contact" with home plate umpire CB Bucknor during Tuesday's win against the Reds.

Manuel will serve the suspension in Thursday's series opener against the Pirates.

Manuel yelled at Bucknor from the dugout, opposing a strike call and then came onto the field to continue his argument before being ejected. At one point, the brim of Manuel's hat appeared to make contact with Bucknor's forehead, causing the umpire to walk away and point at his forehead.

After the game, Manuel said he did not know if he made contact with Bucknor.

Presumably, bench coach Pete Mackanin will take over for Manuel on Thursday. Mackanin also managed a game earlier in the season when Manuel left the team for his daughter's wedding.

We are still awating official word from the Phillies on the status of Chase Utley and Placido Polanco. Reports say Utley will have surgery to repair his sprained right thumb Thursday but a timetable for his recovery is unknown. The Phillies will provide a more definitive update soon.